Scott Skiles Benched Stephen Jackson Following Suspension

After the NBA forced Stephen Jackson to sit out a game for verbally abusing a referee, Jackson’s coach Scott Skiles asked him to take a seat again. From the AP: “After sitting out the last game for his verbal abuse of an official, Stephen Jackson was held out of Milwaukee’s victory over Detroit on Monday night. ‘It was my decision,’ Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. ‘I liked the way we’ve played the past couple games. He’ll have an opportunity to work himself back in there.’ Jackson, acquired in a 2011 draft-day trade from Charlotte, has already missed two games this season – one for missing shootaround against the Knicks on Jan. 20 and Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers while serving the one-game suspension his tirade after the Bucks’ loss at Chicago on Friday. Jackson was on he active roster Monday and suited up, but never played. ‘I ain’t surprised,’ Jackson said. ‘They know how I feel. Everybody knows the situation. One thing I’m not going to do is not be professional. I’m going to cheer the team on and do what I have to do. My situation is going to get better soon. Until then, I’m going to support these guys and continue to collect my check.'”